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2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HPT: Autoweek Autofile car review

June 26, 2012

1 of 4Through our tight 490-foot slalom, one tester described the Si with the standard limited-slip differential and optional Michelin Pilot Sport Exalto performance tires to have “flickable dynamics,” and called it “well-balanced,” with precise steering, averaging 43.7 mph with traction control turned off.

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2 of 4Many 2012 Civic Si owners we heard from said the biggest advantage of the new car was the torque increase.

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3 of 4Our testers praised the engine for its smooth power delivery and strong performance thanks, in part, to the generous torque increase from the previous 2.0-liter's 139 lb-ft of torque to 170 lb-ft.

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4 of 4The Civic's cheapened interior has received much criticism, and rightfully so, with the amount of hard plastic surfaces it has.

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2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HPT

The ninth-generation Honda Civic that debuted for the 2012 model year is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The base powertrain is carryover, with minor alterations from the previous car to improve fuel economy, while the exterior lines and interior layout don't veer far from those of the old car.

To find the most drastic changes, you have to look to the hybrid with new lithium-ion batteries and the performance-minded Si with a bigger 2.4-liter engine. When choosing one to put through our Autofile tests, the natural choice was the Si. It's been a staple on the sport-compact scene for years, and the prospect of the more potent powerplant was intriguing.

Straightaway, our testers praised the engine for its smooth power delivery and strong performance thanks, in part, to the generous torque increase from the previous 2.0-liter's 139 lb-ft of torque to 170 lb-ft. The extra grunt in the middle of the rev range helped widen the powerband, the only downside being a 7,000-rpm redline, instead of 8,000 rpm. Together with the slick six-speed manual gearbox and nicely tuned clutch pedal, we recorded a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.7 seconds with careful modulation of the throttle.

“You have to initiate wheelspin, back off the gas as speed rises, and then go to wide-open throttle when the tires hook up,” our tester said.

The 201-hp Civic's best run of 15.0 seconds at 95.6 mph in the quarter-mile was quicker than another sport-compact veteran we recently tested, the 2012 Volkswagen GTI, which stopped the clocks at 15.34 seconds.

Brake performance is respectable from the four-wheel discs that are bigger up front compared with those on the base car (11.8 inches vs. 10.3 inches) to help bring it to a halt from 60 mph in 127.6 feet. That's substantially better than 142.6-foot result we recorded in the GTI.

Through our tight 490-foot slalom, one tester described the Si with the standard limited-slip differential and optional Michelin Pilot Sport Exalto performance tires to have “flickable dynamics,” and called it “well-balanced,” with precise steering, averaging 43.7 mph with traction control turned off. This again was enough to better the Volkswagen by a hair, which averaged 43.3 mph.

Many 2012 Civic Si owners we heard from said the biggest advantage of the new car was the torque increase. “It is definitely noticeable and makes the car much better as a daily driver,” wrote one owner. “You don't have to rev the hell out of it to get it to go.” But the same owner said he loathes the lower redline “because sometimes I do want to rev the hell out of it.”

The Civic's cheapened interior has received much criticism, and rightfully so, with the amount of hard plastic surfaces it has. But testers also scratched their heads about how necessary the new VTEC display is. Owners did appreciate the liberal use of red-stitching accents for a sportier ambiance and a customizable multi-information display.

With all of the affordable, sporty offerings available, including the new Subaru BRZ and pint-size entries such as the Fiat 500 Abarth, the ninth-generation Civic Si delivers enough performance to not only be relevant, but also competitive. And that's a good thing for enthusiasts.

Owners' Voices

STICKER

Base price: $23,345

As-tested: $23,345

CHASSIS

Five-passenger coupe

DIMENSIONS

Curb weight (lb): 3,102

ENGINE

2.4-liter I4

Power: 201 hp @ 7,000 rpm

Torque: 170 lb-fit @ 4,400 rpm

DRIVETRAIN

Front-wheel drive

Transmission: Six-speed manual

SAFETY

Standard vehicle-stability assist

60/40 split-folding rear seats

AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, Bluetooth phone connectivity

NHTSA overall crash rating (out of five): 4

STANDING-START ACCELERATION

0-60 mph: 6.7 sec

Quarter-mile: 15.0 sec @ 95.6 mph

BRAKING

60-0 mph: 127.6 ft

FUEL ECONOMY

EPA combined: 25 mpg

AW overall: 24.3 mpg

RESIDUALS

Three-year: $12,606

Five-year: $9,571

Others Considered

I own a 2012 Civic Si and am pleased. I also owned a 2011 Si, and while there are some things that I miss from that car, I believe the 2012 is a good upgrade.

The biggest advantage is the increased torque. It makes the car much better as a daily driver. You don't have to rev the hell out of it to get it to go. I also like the added technology (Bluetooth phone/ media and customizable display).

The seat material attracts less hair (I have dogs) and is easier to keep clean. The car feels

as if it has a little more interior room, and I like the added red stitching. I also like the front end of the 2012 model, but prefer the back end of the '11. Some things that I miss from the 2011 are the 8,000-rpm redline, the sliding cover for the cupholders and the sound the old K20 engine made at VTEC crossover.

Ryan Barclay, Portage, Mich.

I purchased a 2012 Honda Civic Si after considering a Hyundai Genesis coupe, a Subaru Impreza WRX and a Nissan 370Z. Finding a sporty, fun car to drive for less than $25,000 is hard to do, but Honda provides it with the Si. It looks great, is a blast to drive and has awesome fuel economy with a decent amount of power.

The new Si's looks are toned down compared with those of the last-gen model, but the increase of torque and horsepower makes up for it. The stock exhaust sounds great, and when you add a cold-air intake, it completes it. The suspension is comfortable for a daily driver, yet the car still performs in the corners, and steering is responsive.

I'm completely satisfied with my Civic Si. If you love driving a car that reacts to your inputs and does what you tell it, the Si might be for you.